Film History 4

This presentation was designed for a high school film production class - it provides a visual accompaniment to a lecture on Film History. This module covers the period from the introduction of color
…

This presentation was designed for a high school film production class - it provides a visual accompaniment to a lecture on Film History. This module covers the period from the introduction of color through the end of the studio system and the impact of television.

Transcript

1.
Film History Lecture prepared 11/28/09 by John M. Grace I.A.T.S.E. member and film instructor D.A.T.A. Charter High School Albuquerque, New Mexico Some material taken from Cybercollege.com

2.
Film History Famous film quote: “ Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. ” In 1939, with these words, Rhett Butler snubbed Scarlett O’Hara and fanned the firestorm of controversy over morality and film censorship

During Hollywood’s “golden age,” along with huge profits came many excesses. Tabloid newspapers tried to outdo each other by reporting - and to some extent making up - stories about the extravagant lifestyles of producers, directors, and actors. In the minds of many, Hollywood was indeed &quot;sin city.&quot;

Then, film director William Taylor was found murdered and Mabel Normand, a close friend of Arbuckle's, was accused of the crime. Even though Normand was acquitted, rumors abounded that drugs were involved. The tabloids had a field day and the Catholic Legion of Decency called for a film boycott .

The code was so strict that many of today's G-rated movies would have been rejected.

Hayes issued more than 28,000 rulings including lists of forbidden words. Screen kisses were reduced from a maximum of 4 seconds to no more than 1 1 / 2 seconds. The Hays Code even went so far as to ban scenes showing people milking cows.

Moviegoers anxious to escape the gloom of the depression regularly sought refuge in the fantasy life up on the silver screen. To lure patrons during these times, many theaters started showing double features and even drastically cut admission prices. Some theaters even featured bingo games. Even so, something more was needed.

During the depression, the only successful new studio was opened by Walt Disney. In 1928, Disney released Steamboat Willie , the first animated sound cartoon. Disney, who was only 26 years old, had to sell his car to finish the cartoon.

In 1932, color film technology was introduced with another Disney short film, Flowers and Trees .

During the 1930s, the genres of romantic comedy and gangster films became popular.

In 1938, the genres of suspense and mystery took a major step forward with the films of Alfred Hitchcock, a British director best known for the film Psycho featuring history’s most famous shower scene.

Gone With the Wind is historically significant for many reasons, for one, the kiss (a violation of the Hayes Code), and the memorable and controversial line &quot;Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.&quot;

Cursing was forbidden in films, but this line was the decisive indication that Rhett Butler had finally given up on Scarlett O'Hara.

Although the studio system was efficient at turning out films, most people agree that our present system encourages a level of competition essential to maintaining Hollywood's leadership in filmmaking.

Today, the major studios usually make fewer than 20 films a year and the rest are made by independents.

The guarantee of profits is the main reason gratuitous violence and bloody horror films continue to be produced on a wide scale - even in the face of public disapproval and studies that show that the effects of viewing violence are harmful to both individuals and society. Sexual content also remains directly related to box office success.

Even with the limitations imposed by the large film studios, films have always shaped public attitudes in a variety of ways. Disney films have communicated positive moral values to young people for decades.

Thought-provoking movies and films where the hero takes on mega corporations inspire us to take moral stands in our own lives.